Infertility can be devastating emotionally.
It often brings about one of the worst crises that a couple will ever experience together.
Infertility can cause intense feelings of loss, failure, depression and grief. If you find yourself feeling unable to cope with the emotional aspect of infertility, there is no shame in seeking treatment to help you deal with this painful situation.
How do you know if you would benefit from therapeutic counseling?
There are usually signs and symptoms that are red flags of warning, telling you to seek help with the feelings you are having:
- Depression that doesn’t go away or ease
- Lack of interest in the things you normally enjoy
- Trouble focusing and thinking about anything besides the infertility
- Inharmonious relationships with family, friends, coworkers or spouse
- High anxiety
- Easily distracted, problems completing tasks
- Insomnia or sleeping too much, a change in sleeping patterns or habits
- Significant change in appetite—weight gain or loss
- Thoughts of death or suicide
- Feelings of isolation
- Increased or excessive use of drugs and/or alcohol
- Feelings of failure, guilt, worthlessness
- Feelings of anger and resentment
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms noted above, you should find a qualified therapist or counselor to talk to about the things that are troubling you.
In addition to seeing a qualified mental health professional to work through any emotional problems you might be having as a result of infertility issues, there may also be times during the course of fertility treatments when it would be beneficial to you to talk to a therapist or counselor.
For instance, it might help you to discuss your feelings when you are:
- Trying to decide between various infertility treatment options
- At a crossroads in your infertility treatments, when you aren’t sure which route to take
- Thinking about third party assistance as an option, such as a surrogate mother or a gamete (sperm) donor
- Considering other options for having a family, such as adoption
- Having problems communicating with your spouse about the infertility treatments
If you are struggling with infertility issues and feel overwhelmed and unable to cope with your feelings, you are not alone. Many women who have walked in your shoes have gotten help from a mental health professional in order to deal with this extremely stressful problem!
Infertility: Coping Techniques
The Psychological Effects of Infertility
Dealing With the Stress of Infertility
Are You Dealing With Secondary Infertility?